Canine experts and vets fear it is gaining ground across the UK amid fears the germs are thriving in the mild, moist weather.

Cases have already been reported as far as Devon, the Lake District, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

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CAUSE: The cause of Alabama Rot remains unknown

This latest case saw a cocker spaniel called Maggie die after being walked in a forest in Dorset.

Her devastated owner Cathy Moss says it was the speed in which the disease killed her pet that was the most sickening thing.

"It was astonishing," she said. "It was only about three days from us noticing the sores to her dying. It was just awful."

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VICTIM: Cocker spaniel Maggie is one of many dogs to die to the disease

In total, 81 cases of Alabama Rot - which first affected greyhounds in the United States in the late 1980s - have now been confirmed in 27 counties across the UK since 2012, with 17 in 2016 and six already this year, leading to fears it is gaining ground across Britain.

The cause isn't known but one theory is that the bug multiplies in wet warm weather because it collects in pools of water, specially in boggy woodland areas.

The puddles become host to a slimy, blue-green algae which is perfect for the bacteria, turning into a death trap for thirsty dogs out for walks with their owners.

With an estimated nine million pet dogs in Britain, vets are alarmed that the pace of its spread is increasing.

MILLIONS dead: the last major flu pandemic

The last major outbreak of the deadly H1N1 flu virus was in 1918 at the close of WW1. It is estimated that 50-100 million people died – a total of 2-3% of the world's entire population – with 500 million more infected by the lethal strain. To this day, nobody knows what caused the pandemic.

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Image shows warehouses that were converted to keep the infected people quarantined.

“The cause of Alabama Rot is still unknown and as a result there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease”

David Walker, head of medicine at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists

According to David Walker, head of medicine at Winchester-based Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, who are spearheading research on the disease, said there are still plenty of unanswered questions about the disease.

"The cause of Alabama Rot is still unknown and as a result there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease," he said.

"We are highly suspicious that there is an environmental trigger for the disease but we have not been able to confirm it.

"Unfortunately the fatality rate is quite high at 80 per cent - but that's still one in five dogs surviving the disease.

"The other problem is that only tests on a kidney from an affected dog - most likely a post mortem - will give 100 per cent confirmation of the disease.

"There have been a number of cases 'confirmed' by vets which have survived, but unless we carry out analysis of the pet, we will never be able to confirm the disease.

"It's so vital that we find the cause because then we can look at prevention and treatment."

It leads to the dog's flesh rotting, resulting in kidney failure, loss of appetite, tiredness and vomiting.

Without urgent treatment, dogs develop a raging fever and eventually die.

Mr Walker said: "The suspicion is that whatever causes this disease is ingested orally. It's difficult to say 'don't walk within a geographical areas' because we don't know what happened prior to developing signs and where the dog picked it up.

"The signs to look out for are often little lesions below the knee or elbow and circular or like an ulcer. The hair will fall off which will get the dog's attention and they may start licking it.

"However, the difficulty is not all the lesions will look the same. Be vigilant and if people are worried they should go to their local vets.

"There is a suggestion that there is an environmental factor, we don't have clear evidence to back that up, but it can't not help to wash down your dog after a walk."

Animal Health Trust spokesman Farrah Owens said: "The best thing dog owners can do is be aware of the symptoms and access their vets as soon as they see signs of sickness, diarrhoea and lethargy. Dogs that visit their vet quickly tend to recover."

A Forestry Commission spokesman said: "Owners should always keep their dogs under close control and be aware of anything they may pick up, chew or eat in a woodland area."

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SORES: Pet owners are being asked to be on the look out for signs of the illness

Vets4Pets, which has nearly 400 practices across the UK, is supporting the research and their director of clinical services. Dr Huw Stacey, said: "The concern among vets is that, unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog."

Graeme Pack, clinical director at Purton Veterinary Group in Swindon, Wilts, who has treated victims of the disease, said "From the cases we have seen in the New Forest it could be linked to woodland, but we cannot say.

"My advice, which I am undertaking with my own dogs, is not to walk in woodland and to always wash the mud off your dog after a walk. There may be a link with muddy walks in wooded areas. It makes sense to avoid these areas if possible and wash mud off your dogs after walks.

"But I don't want dog owners to panic and think they can never let their dogs out. Dogs need to be out and about and have a full and active life.